The MC13760 is a mixed-signal device manufactured on an RF BiCMOS process and featuring a serial programming interface that is said to enable "digital DNA" platform solutions. The device ties directly to Motorola baseband processors for portable equipment through a common programming and data interface.

Behrooz Abdi, general manager of the division, said the MC13760 features fractional-N synthesizers, a reconfigurable zero IF receiver with programmable bandwidth, receive A/D conversion, multirate data interface to the baseband DSP, a direct-launch digital modulator and full transmit-support circuits. General-purpose circuitry, such as D/A and A/D converters and battery save and tristate control switches, is also included. The device operates at 2.75 volts, and power consumption dips to 50-microamps in "deep-sleep" mode.

Abdi added that the MC13760 makes it possible to implement automatic frequency control through 6-Hz steps of the on-chip frequency synthesizer or tuning of the reference crystal frequency. Fine-tuning steps can also be implemented through the frequency synthesizer for noncellular designs.

The transceiver operates at VHF and UHF bands. Thus it supports architectures that combine cellular with conventional two-way or trunked radio. It's offered in a 104-pin ball grid array surface-mount package and priced at $10.75 in 10,000-piece quantities.